Second row priority seating for vehicles

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure relate to vehicles capable of autonomous driving. These vehicles may include seats for accommodating different numbers of passengers. In some cases, the seats may be reconfigurable. For instance, a vehicle may include a first row of seating having a first, passenger use configuration. The first row may allow a passenger to sit in a seat of the first row of seating and access user input controls for the vehicle. The first row of seating may also have a second, folded configuration where the first row is in a folded configuration and no longer usable for passenger seating. The vehicle may also have a second row of seating. When the first row of seating is in the second, folded configuration, the second row of seating may still be usable for seating and may include additional legroom for the passenger as compared to when the first row of seating is in the first passenger use configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/158,984 filed May 19, 2016, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Autonomous vehicles, such as vehicles that do not require a humandriver, can be used to aid in the transport of passengers or items fromone location to another. Such vehicles may operate in a fully autonomousmode where passengers may provide some initial input, such as a pickupor destination location, and the vehicle maneuvers itself to thatlocation.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a vehicle. The vehicle includes afirst row of seating having a first, passenger use configuration wherethe first row allows a passenger to sit in a seat of the first row ofseating and access user input controls for the vehicle. The first row ofseating also has a second, folded configuration where the first row isin a folded, configuration no longer usable for passenger seating. Thevehicle also includes a second row of seating. When the first row ofseating is in the second, folded configuration, the second row ofseating is usable for seating and includes additional legroom for thepassenger as compared to when the first row of seating is in the firstpassenger use configuration.

In one example, the vehicle also includes a computing system configuredto control a vehicle autonomously without continuous input from thepassenger. In another example, the vehicle also includes a dashboardincluding a recess that allows the seat to fold into the dashboard whenthe first row of seating is in the second, folded configuration suchthat the seat becomes integral with the dashboard. In another example,the vehicle also includes manual controls for steering, braking andacceleration. In this example, the vehicle also includes a partitionconfigured to prevent the passenger from reaching the manual controlswhen the first row of seating is in the second, folded configuration. Inaddition, the partition includes a first top portion configured to pivotabout a second base portion in order to prevent the passenger fromreaching the manual controls when the first row of seating is in thesecond, folded configuration. In addition, the second base portion isconfigured to move within the vehicle in order to change the position ofthe partition relative to the first row of seating.

In another example, the vehicle does not include a steering wheel. Inanother example, the first row of seating includes a hinge line though aseat back portion of the seat configured to support a back of thepassenger, and the hinge line allows the seat back portion of the seatto fold at the hinge line. In this example, when the first row ofseating is in the second, folded configuration, the seat is folded atthe hinge line. In addition or alternatively, passenger useconfiguration, the hinge line is configured to allow the seat back tofold towards the second row of seating. In addition or alternatively,the seat further includes a headrest, and when the first row of seatingis in the first, passenger use configuration, the headrest is configuredto fold away from the second row of seating in order to transition thefirst row of seating to the second, folded configuration.

In another example, the vehicle also includes a dashboard including arecess that allows at least a portion of the seat to fit into thedashboard when the first row of seating is in the second, foldedconfiguration. In another example, the at least a portion of the seatincludes a headrest of the seat. In another example, the vehicle alsoincludes a set of tracks, and the first row is configured to move alongthe set of tracks in order to transition between the first, passengeruse configuration and the second, folded configuration. In anotherexample, the vehicle also includes a recess in a floor of the vehicle.The recess is sized to accept the folded first row of seating such thata back surface of the seat is flush with the floor when the first row ofseating is in the second, folded configuration. In another example, thevehicle also includes a pop-up foot rest. The popup foot rest isconfigured to move away from a floor of the vehicle and into a passengeruse configuration when the first row of seating is moved from the first,passenger use configuration to the second, folded configuration. Inanother example, the popup foot rest is configured to move towards afloor of the vehicle into a folded configuration when the first row ofseating is moved from the second, folded configuration to the first,passenger use configuration. In another example, the vehicle alsoincludes a console having user input buttons. The console is configuredto move into different positions such that a first position allows thepassenger when in the second row of seating to readily access the userinput buttons when the first row of seating is in the first, passengeruse configuration. In another example, the console is configured to movealong a set of tracks into the different positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an example vehicle in accordance withan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an example system in accordance withan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial diagram of the system of FIG. 2 in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4D are example external views of a vehicle in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an example internal view of a vehicle in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 6-10A are example interview views of vehicles in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 10B-10G are examples of vehicle seats and headrest configurationsin accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 11-14 are example interview views of vehicles in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 15A-15D is an example of changing a seat from a first, passengeruse configuration to a second, folded configuration in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 16 is an example of a seat in a first, passenger use configurationand a second, folded configuration in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure.

FIGS. 17A-17F are examples of folding seat configurations in accordancewith aspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 18A-20F are example interview views of vehicles in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 21 is an example of a console of a vehicle in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 22A-22D are example interview views of a vehicle in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

FIGS. 23A-23C are examples of seats and a partition in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview Seating

The technology relates to seating configurations for vehicles, such asautonomous vehicles that do not need constant inputs from a humandriver. As an example, the interior of the vehicle may be configured toadapt to the needs of the passengers who are currently (or who will nextbe) using the autonomous vehicle. These vehicles may include one or morerows of seats for one or more passengers. These rows may have a first,passenger use configurations to allow one or more passengers to sit andride in the row as well as a second, folded configuration. In the foldedconfiguration, the row may no longer usable for passengers (i.e. thereis not enough room for a passenger to safely sit and ride in thevehicle.

In order to change from the first, passenger use configuration to thesecond configuration, the seats may be folded and slid along a set oftracks. Various folding techniques may be used as discussed below. Inaddition, the dashboard and/or floor of the vehicle may be configured tofacilitate the folding in order to allow passengers in an adjacent rowadditional leg room or room for luggage, etc. In some examples, thefloor of the vehicle may include a pop-up footrest that pops up when arow of seats is moved to the second, folded configuration and is stowedwhen the row of seats is moved to the first, passenger useconfiguration.

Alternatively, the second, folded configuration may be a stackedconfiguration. For example, rather than folding the first row to achievethe second configuration, the first row is “stacked” onto the second rowby moving the first row back over the second row.

In order for a user to provide input to the vehicle, as noted above, thevehicle may include a console arranged for use by a priority passenger.A passenger may be a passenger who is responsible for controllingaspects of the autonomous vehicle and thus needs to be able to readilyaccess user inputs of the console. As noted above, the configuration ofthe rows of a vehicle may be changed. By doing so, the position of thepassengers may also change, including the priority passenger who mayneed access to the console. Because of this, when the seatingconfigurations are changed, the console may also be moved within thevehicle. For instance, the console may be incorporated into a housing.This housing may be movable within the interior of the car. Forinstance, the housing may be moved towards a front end or a rear end ofthe vehicle depending upon the location of the priority row, or ratherthe row having the priority passenger, is expected to be located. Inthis regard, once the rows of seats have been configured, the consolemay also be moved within the vehicle corresponding to the currentconfiguration of the rows and placement of the priority passenger.

Although the autonomous vehicle may be fully capable of full-timeautonomous driving, manual controls (steering, braking, acceleration,signaling, etc.) are often legally required to exist in autonomousvehicles. Such controls are especially important to allow a designatedtest passenger to take control of the vehicle in an emergency situation.As an example, a test passenger may be a human operator or “test driver”tasked with testing the vehicle by sitting in the vehicle and observingthe vehicle's actions when the vehicle is operating autonomously.However, in many situations, having manual controls when the vehicledoes not include a designated a test passenger, may introduce a safetyrisk to passengers and bystanders should a passenger interfere with themanual controls. In order to address these risks, it may be appropriateto include a partition. This may reduce the likelihood of a passengerinterfering with the manual controls.

Example Systems

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 100 in accordance with one aspect of thedisclosure includes various components. While certain aspects of thedisclosure are particularly useful in connection with specific types ofvehicles, the vehicle may be any type of vehicle including, but notlimited to, cars, trucks, motorcycles, busses, recreational vehicles,etc. The vehicle may have one or more computing devices, such ascomputing device 110 containing one or more processors 120, memory 130and other components typically present in general purpose computingdevices.

The memory 130 stores information accessible by the one or moreprocessors 120, including instructions 132 and data 134 that may beexecuted or otherwise used by the processor 120. The memory 130 may beof any type capable of storing information accessible by the processor,including a computing device-readable medium, or other medium thatstores data that may be read with the aid of an electronic device, suchas a hard-drive, memory card, ROM, RAM, DVD or other optical disks, aswell as other write-capable and read-only memories. Systems and methodsmay include different combinations of the foregoing, whereby differentportions of the instructions and data are stored on different types ofmedia.

The instructions 132 may be any set of instructions to be executeddirectly (such as machine code) or indirectly (such as scripts) by theprocessor. For example, the instructions may be stored as computingdevice code on the computing device-readable medium. In that regard, theterms “instructions” and “programs” may be used interchangeably herein.The instructions may be stored in object code format for directprocessing by the processor, or in any other computing device languageincluding scripts or collections of independent source code modules thatare interpreted on demand or compiled in advance. Functions, methods androutines of the instructions are explained in more detail below.

The data 134 may be retrieved, stored or modified by processor 120 inaccordance with the instructions 132. For instance, although the claimedsubject matter is not limited by any particular data structure, the datamay be stored in computing device registers, in a relational database asa table having a plurality of different fields and records, XMLdocuments or flat files. The data may also be formatted in any computingdevice-readable format.

The one or more processor 120 may be any conventional processors, suchas commercially available CPUs. Alternatively, the one or moreprocessors may be a dedicated device such as an ASIC or otherhardware-based processor. Although FIG. 1 functionally illustrates theprocessor, memory, and other elements of computing device 110 as beingwithin the same block, it will be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art that the processor, computing device, or memory may actuallyinclude multiple processors, computing devices, or memories that may ormay not be stored within the same physical housing. For example, memorymay be a hard drive or other storage media located in a housingdifferent from that of computing device 110. Accordingly, references toa processor or computing device will be understood to include referencesto a collection of processors or computing devices or memories that mayor may not operate in parallel.

Computing device 110 may all of the components normally used inconnection with a computing device such as the processor and memorydescribed above as well as a user input 150 (e.g., a mouse, keyboard,touch screen and/or microphone) and various electronic displays (e.g., amonitor having a screen or any other electrical device that is operableto display information). In this example, the vehicle includes aninternal electronic display 152 as well as one or more speakers 154 toprovide information or audio visual experiences. In this regard,internal electronic display 152 may be located within a cabin of vehicle100 and may be used by computing device 110 to provide information topassengers within the vehicle 100.

Computing device 110 may also include one or more wireless networkconnections 154 to facilitate communication with other computingdevices, such as the client computing devices and server computingdevices described in detail below. The wireless network connections mayinclude short range communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Bluetoothlow energy (LE), cellular connections, as well as various configurationsand protocols including the Internet, World Wide Web, intranets, virtualprivate networks, wide area networks, local networks, private networksusing communication protocols proprietary to one or more companies,Ethernet, WiFi and HTTP, and various combinations of the foregoing.

In one example, computing device 110 may be an autonomous drivingcomputing system incorporated into vehicle 100. The autonomous drivingcomputing system may capable of communicating with various components ofthe vehicle. For example, returning to FIG. 1, computing device 110 maybe in communication with various systems of vehicle 100, such asdeceleration system 160, acceleration system 162, steering system 164,signaling system 166, navigation system 168, positioning system 170, anddetection system 172 in order to control the movement, speed, etc. ofvehicle 100 in accordance with the instructions 134 of memory 130.Again, although these systems are shown as external to computing device110, in actuality, these systems may also be incorporated into computingdevice 110, again as an autonomous driving computing system forcontrolling vehicle 100.

As an example, computing device 110 may interact with decelerationsystem 160 and acceleration system 162 in order to control the speed ofthe vehicle. Similarly, steering system 164 may be used by computer 110in order to control the direction of vehicle 100. For example, ifvehicle 100 is configured for use on a road, such as a car or truck, thesteering system may include components to control the angle of wheels toturn the vehicle. Signaling system 166 may be used by computing device110 in order to signal the vehicle's intent to other drivers orvehicles, for example, by lighting turn signals or brake lights whenneeded.

Navigation system 168 may be used by computing device 110 in order todetermine and follow a route to a location. In this regard, thenavigation system 168 and/or data 134 may store detailed mapinformation, e.g., highly detailed maps identifying the shape andelevation of roadways, lane lines, intersections, crosswalks, speedlimits, traffic signals, buildings, signs, real time trafficinformation, vegetation, or other such objects and information.

Positioning system 170 may be used by computing device 110 in order todetermine the vehicle's relative or absolute position on a map or on theearth. For example, the position system 170 may include a GPS receiverto determine the device's latitude, longitude and/or altitude position.Other location systems such as laser-based localization systems,inertial-aided GPS, or camera-based localization may also be used toidentify the location of the vehicle. The location of the vehicle mayinclude an absolute geographical location, such as latitude, longitude,and altitude as well as relative location information, such as locationrelative to other cars immediately around it which can often bedetermined with less noise that absolute geographical location.

The positioning system 170 may also include other devices incommunication with computing device 110, such as an accelerometer,gyroscope or another direction/speed detection device to determine thedirection and speed of the vehicle or changes thereto. By way of exampleonly, an acceleration device may determine its pitch, yaw or roll (orchanges thereto) relative to the direction of gravity or a planeperpendicular thereto. The device may also track increases or decreasesin speed and the direction of such changes. The device's provision oflocation and orientation data as set forth herein may be providedautomatically to the computing device 110, other computing devices andcombinations of the foregoing.

The detection system 172 also includes one or more components fordetecting objects external to the vehicle such as other vehicles,obstacles in the roadway, traffic signals, signs, trees, etc. Forexample, the detection system 170 may include lasers, sonar, radar,cameras and/or any other detection devices that record data which may beprocessed by computing device 110. In the case where the vehicle is asmall passenger vehicle such as a car, the car may include a laser orother sensors mounted on the roof or other convenient location.

The computing device 110 may control the direction and speed of thevehicle by controlling various components. By way of example, computingdevice 110 may navigate the vehicle to a destination location completelyautonomously using data from the detailed map information and navigationsystem 168. Computing device 110 may use the positioning system 170 todetermine the vehicle's location and detection system 172 to detect andrespond to objects when needed to reach the location safely. In order todo so, computing device 110 may cause the vehicle to accelerate (e.g.,by increasing fuel or other energy provided to the engine byacceleration system 162), decelerate (e.g., by decreasing the fuelsupplied to the engine, changing gears, and/or by applying brakes bydeceleration system 160), change direction (e.g., by turning the frontor rear wheels of vehicle 100 by steering system 164), and signal suchchanges (e.g., by lighting turn signals of signaling system 166). Thus,the acceleration system 162 and deceleration system 162 may be a part ofa drivetrain that includes various components between an engine of thevehicle and the wheels of the vehicle. Again, by controlling thesesystems, computing device 110 may also control the drivetrain of thevehicle in order to maneuver the vehicle autonomously.

Computing device 110 of vehicle 100 may also receive or transferinformation to and from other computing devices. FIGS. 2 and 3 arepictorial and functional diagrams, respectively, of an example system200 that includes a plurality of computing devices 210, 220, 230 and astorage system 250 connected via a network 260. System 200 also includesvehicle 100, and vehicle 100A which may be configured similarly tovehicle 100. Although only a few vehicles and computing devices aredepicted for simplicity, a typical system may include significantlymore.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of computing devices 210, 220, 230 may includeone or more processors, memory, data and instructions. Such processors,memories, data and instructions may be configured similarly to one ormore processors 120, memory 130, data 132, and instructions 134 ofcomputing device 110.

The network 260, and intervening nodes, may include variousconfigurations and protocols including short range communicationprotocols such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, the Internet, World Wide Web,intranets, virtual private networks, wide area networks, local networks,private networks using communication protocols proprietary to one ormore companies, Ethernet, WiFi and HTTP, and various combinations of theforegoing. Such communication may be facilitated by any device capableof transmitting data to and from other computing devices, such as modemsand wireless interfaces.

In one example, one or more computing devices 110 may include a serverhaving a plurality of computing devices, e.g., a load balanced serverfarm, that exchange information with different nodes of a network forthe purpose of receiving, processing and transmitting the data to andfrom other computing devices. For instance, one or more computingdevices 210 may include one or more server computing devices that arecapable of communicating with computing device 110 of vehicle 100 or asimilar computing device of vehicle 100A as well as computing devices220, 230 via the network 260. For example, vehicles 100 and 100A may bea part of a fleet of vehicles that can be dispatched by server computingdevices to various locations. In this regard, the vehicles of the fleetmay periodically send the server computing devices location informationprovided by the vehicle's respective positioning systems and the one ormore server computing devices may track the locations of the vehicles.

In addition, server computing devices 210 may use network 260 totransmit and present information to a user, such as user 222, 232 on adisplay, such as displays 224, 234 of computing devices 220, 230. Inthis regard, computing devices 220, 230 may be considered clientcomputing devices.

As shown in FIG. 3, each client computing device 220, 230, may be apersonal computing device intended for use by a user 222, 232, and haveall of the components normally used in connection with a personalcomputing device including a one or more processors (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU)), memory (e.g., RAM and internal hard drives)storing data and instructions, a display such as displays 224, 234(e.g., a monitor having a screen, a touch-screen, a projector, atelevision, or other device that is operable to display information),and user input devices 226, 236 (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, touch-screenor microphone). The client computing devices may also include a camerafor recording video streams, speakers, a network interface device, andall of the components used for connecting these elements to one another.

In addition, the client computing device 220 may also include components228 for determining the position and orientation of client computingdevices. For example, these components may include a GPS receiver todetermine the device's latitude, longitude and/or altitude as well as anaccelerometer, gyroscope or another direction/speed detection device asdescribed above with regard to positioning system 170 of vehicle 100.

Although the client computing devices 220, 230 may each comprise afull-sized personal computing device, they may alternatively comprisemobile computing devices capable of wirelessly exchanging data with aserver over a network such as the Internet. By way of example only,client computing device 220 may be a mobile phone or a device such as awireless-enabled PDA, a tablet PC, a wearable computing device orsystem, or a netbook that is capable of obtaining information via theInternet or other networks. As an example the user may input informationusing a small keyboard, a keypad, microphone, using visual signals witha camera, or a touch screen.

In some examples, client computing device 230 may be a concierge workstation used by an administrator or customer support representative(concierge) to provide concierge services to users such as user 222. Forexample, a concierge 232 may use the concierge work station 230 tocommunicate via a telephone call or audio connection with users throughtheir respective client computing devices or vehicles 100 or 100A inorder to facilitate the safe operation of vehicles 100 and 100A and thesafety of the users as described in further detail below. Although onlya single concierge work station 230 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, anynumber of such work stations may be included in a typical system.

Storage system 250 may store various types of information as describedin more detail below. This information may be retrieved or otherwiseaccessed by a server computing device, such as one or more servercomputing devices 210, in order to perform some or all of the featuresdescribed herein. For example, the information may include user accountinformation such as credentials (e.g., a user name and password as inthe case of a traditional single-factor authentication as well as othertypes of credentials typically used in multi-factor authentications suchas random identifiers, biometrics, etc.) that can be used to identify auser to the one or more server computing devices. The user accountinformation may also include personal information such as the user'sname, contact information, identifying information of the user's clientcomputing device (or devices if multiple devices are used with the sameuser account), as well as one or more unique signals for the user.

The storage system 250 may also store routing data for generating andevaluating routes between locations. For example, the routinginformation may be used to estimate how long it would take a vehicle ata first location to reach a second location. In this regard, the routinginformation may include map information, not necessarily as particularas the detailed map information described above, but including roads, aswell as information about those road such as direction (one way, twoway, etc.), orientation (North, South, etc.), speed limits, as well astraffic information identifying expected traffic conditions, etc.

As with memory 130, storage system 250 can be of any type ofcomputerized storage capable of storing information accessible by theserver computing devices 210, such as a hard-drive, memory card, ROM,RAM, DVD, CD-ROM, write-capable, and read-only memories. In addition,storage system 250 may include a distributed storage system where datais stored on a plurality of different storage devices which may bephysically located at the same or different geographic locations.Storage system 150 may be connected to the computing devices via thenetwork 260 as shown in FIG. 2 and/or may be directly connected to orincorporated into any of the computing devices 110, 210, 220, 230, etc.

FIGS. 4A-4D are examples of external views of vehicle 100. As can beseen, vehicle 100 includes many features of a typical vehicle such asheadlights 402, windshield 403, taillights/turn signal lights 404, rearwindshield 405, doors 406, side view mirrors 408, tires and wheels 410,and turn signal/parking lights 412. Headlights 402, taillights/turnsignal lights 404, and turn signal/parking lights 412 may be associatedthe signaling system 166. Light bar 407 may also be associated with thesignaling system 166.

Vehicle 100 also includes sensors of the detection system 172. Forexample, housing 414 may include one or more laser devices for having360 degree or narrower fields of view and one or more camera devices.Housings 416 and 418 may include, for example, one or more radar and/orsonar devices. The devices of the detection system may also beincorporated into the typical vehicle components, such as taillights 404and/or side view mirrors 408. Each of these radar, camera, and lasersdevices may be associated with processing components which process datafrom these devices as part of the detection system 172 and providesensor data to the computing device 110.

Seating

Because of the nature of autonomous vehicles, or rather that autonomousvehicles do not need constant inputs from a human driver, the interiorof the vehicle may be configured to adapt to the needs of the passengerswho are currently (or who will next be) using the autonomous vehicle.For example, an autonomous vehicle may require only enough user inputsto allow a passenger to stop the vehicle in an emergency. In someexamples, the passenger may also be provided with inputs for starting atrip and pulling the vehicle over (as opposed to an immediate emergencystop). In that regard, the vehicle need not have a fixed steering wheelor brake and acceleration pedals or other such controls. As such, thepassenger who is responsible for controlling aspects of the autonomousvehicle (the priority passenger), though the aforementioned user inputsneed not be located directly adjacent to a fixed steering wheel. Inother words, the priority row where the priority passenger sits, neednot always be a first row within the vehicle. In fact, the configurationof the rows within the vehicle may be changed based upon the number ofpassengers and the location of that priority passenger.

FIG. 5 is an example internal view of vehicle through the opening ofdoor 406. In this example, there is of a row of two seats 502 forpassengers with a console 504 between them. Directly in ahead of seats502 is a dashboard configuration 506 having a storage bin area 508 andthe internal electronic display 152. As can be readily seen, the vehicledoes not include a steering wheel, gas (acceleration) pedal, or brake(deceleration) pedal which would allow for a semiautonomous or manualdriving mode where a passenger would directly control the steering,acceleration and/or deceleration of the vehicle via the drivetrain.Rather, as described in further detail below, user input is limited to amicrophone of the user input 150 (not shown), features of the console504, and wireless network connections 156. In this regard, internalelectronic display 152 merely provides information to the passenger andneed not include a touch screen or other interface for user input. Inother embodiments, the internal electronic display 152 may include atouch screen or other user input device for entering information by apassenger such as a destination, etc.

FIG. 5 is an example of a vehicle having a single row of seating. Ofcourse, larger vehicles may have multiple rows of seating having variouschangeable configurations. For example, FIG. 6 is a view depicting theinterior of a vehicle 600. In this example, the vehicle includes tworows of seating 610, 620. First row 610 is a bench seat having a first,passenger use configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, includingthe priority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row. FIG. 6 depictsfirst row 610 in a second, folded configuration. In this example, thesecond row 620 becomes the priority row in that the first row is nolonger usable for passengers, and the priority passenger may sit in thesecond row 620. In addition, a back side 630 of first row has become afoot rest for passengers 640, 642 (either of which may be the prioritypassenger). In order to change from the first, passenger useconfiguration to the second configuration, the bench seat of first row610 is folded and slid along a set of tracks 650, 652, 654 in thedirection of arrow 660 towards the front end 662 of vehicle 600. Ofcourse the final position of first row 610 may still allow for HVACsystems of the vehicle to function. For safety, the first row may besecured in place when in the second configuration as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 700 includes two rows of seating 710, 720. Firstrow 710 includes a pair of seats 712, 714 seat having a first, passengeruse configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, including thepriority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row.

FIG. 7 depicts first row 710 in a second, folded configuration. In thisexample, the second row 720 becomes the priority row in that the firstrow is no longer usable for passengers, and the priority passenger maysit in the second row 720. In addition, back sides 732, 734 of first rowbecome a foot rest for passengers 740, 742 (either of which may be thepriority passenger). In this example, the back sides are generally flat.

In order to change from the first, passenger use configuration to thesecond configuration, the seats 712, 714 of first row 710 are folded andslid along a set of tracks 750, 752, 754 in the direction of arrow 760towards the front end 762 of vehicle 700. At least part of a headrest772 of seat 712 is tucked under a dashboard 780 of the vehicle 700. Seat714 may have a similar configuration.

In addition, or alternatively, rather than being simply tucked below thedashboard 780, the dashboard may include a recess 716, 718 that canaccommodate at least a portion of each of the headrests and/or the seats712, 714. In this regard, when seats are moved along the tracks, atleast a portion of the headrests 772, 774 may be placed into thecorresponding recess 716, 718, respectively, in the dashboard 780. Ofcourse the final position of first row 710 may still allow for HVACsystems of the vehicle to function. For safety, the first row may besecured in place when in the second configuration as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 800 includes two rows of seating 810, 820. Firstrow 810 includes a pair of seats 812, 814 seat having a first, passengeruse configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, including thepriority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row.

FIG. 8 depicts first row 810 in a second, folded configuration. In thisexample, the second row 820 becomes the priority row in that the firstrow is no longer usable for passengers, and the priority passenger maysit in the second row 820. In addition, back sides 832, 834 of first row810 become a foot rest for passengers 840, 842 (either of which may bethe priority passenger). In this example, the back sides are generallyflat.

In order to change from the first, passenger use configuration to thesecond configuration, the seats 812, 814 of first row 810 are folded andslid along a set of tracks 850, 852, 854 in the direction of arrow 860towards the front end 862 of vehicle 800. However, unlike in the exampleof vehicle 700, in this example, each seat includes a hinge 874, 878that allows a portion 872, 874 of a seat back of seats 812, 824 to befolded. This allows the seats of row 810 to be moved even furthertowards the front end 862 of vehicle 800 than seat 710 of vehicle 700 inthe example of FIG. 7. Of course the final position of first row 810 maystill allow for HVAC systems of the vehicle to function. For safety, thefirst row may be secured in place when in the second configuration asshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 900 includes two rows of seating 910, 920. Firstrow 910 includes a pair of seats 912, 914 seat having a first, passengeruse configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, including thepriority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row.

FIG. 9 depicts first row 910 in a second, folded configuration. In thisexample, the second row 920 becomes the priority row in that the firstrow is no longer usable for passengers, and the priority passenger maysit in the second row 920. In addition, back sides 932, 934 of first row910 become a foot rest for passengers 940, 942 (either of which may bethe priority passenger). In this example, the back sides are generallyflat. In order to change from the first, passenger use configuration tothe second configuration, the seats 912, 914 of first row 910 are foldedand slid along a set of tracks 950, 952, 954 in the direction of arrow960 towards the front end 962 of vehicle 900. In this example, the seat912 includes a headrest 972, a portion 974 for accommodating apassenger's back, and a base portion 976.

In the second, folded configuration, the base portion 976 of the seat912 collapses allowing the back sides of seat 912 to be closer to thefloor 990 of the vehicle 900 than seat 812 of vehicle 800. The headrestof seat 912 is tucked under a dashboard 980 of the vehicle 900. Seat 914may have a similar configuration as seat 912. In this foldedconfiguration where the base portion collapses, the seat becomesrelatively flat without the need for a recess in the floor 900. Ofcourse the final position of first row 910 may still allow for HVACsystems of the vehicle to function. For safety, the first row may besecured in place when in the second configuration as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10A is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 1000 includes two rows of seating 1010, 1020. Firstrow 1010 includes a pair of seats 1012, 1014 seat having a first,passenger use configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, includingthe priority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row.

FIG. 10A depicts first row 1010 in a second, folded configuration. Inthis example, the second row 1020 becomes the priority row in that thefirst row is no longer usable for passengers, and the priority passengermay sit in the second row 1020. In addition, back sides 1032, 1034 offirst row 1010 include an extension 1036, 1038 which becomes a foot restfor passengers 1040, 1042 (either of which may be the prioritypassenger) when seats 1012 and 1014 are in the second folded,configuration. The extension may help to keep the rest of seats 1012,1014 free from debris. In this example, the seats need not be arrangedon tracks as in the examples of vehicles 600-900. For safety, the firstrow may be secured in place when in the second configuration as shown inFIG. 10A.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the headrest of seats 1012, 1014 virtuallydisappear when the seats 1012, 1014 are in the second, foldedconfiguration. FIGS. 10A-10F depict example headrest configurationswhich allow the headrest to virtually disappear. For example, in FIG.10B, seat 1012 is depicted with headrest 1072 and headrest supports in afully extended condition. As can be seen, the shape of recess 1076 belowthe one or more supports 1074 of the headrest 1072 corresponds to theshape of the headrest 1072. Thus, when the supports are retracted intothe seat 1012, the headrest 1012 fits into the recess 1076 as shown inFIG. 10C. FIGS. 10D and 10E are example side views of seat 1012depicting headrest 1072 in the fully extended (10D) and fully retracted(10E) conditions. The headrest 1072 then appears to become an integralpart of the seat 1012. Accordingly, when the headrest 1072 is fullyretracted, as shown in FIG. 10C, the headrest 1012 virtually disappearsas shown in the example of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10F depicts an alternative example of a retractable headrest whichwhen fully retracted virtually disappears or appears to become anintegral part of the seat. In this example, seat 1012′ is depicted witha headrest 1072′ and one or more supports 1074′ in a fully extendedcondition. The shape of recess 1076′ corresponds to the shape of theheadrest 1072′ such that when the headrest 1072′ and the one or moresupports 1074′ are fully retracted into the seat 1012′, the headrest1072′ appears to disappear into and become an integral part of the seat1012′ as can be seen by reference to seat 1014′ and headrest 1074′.Thus, this example and many other similar configurations, may also beused to achieve the appearance of the example of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10G depicts another example of a folding headrest winch canvirtually disappear or appear to become an integral part of the seat.For example, in FIG. 10G, seat 1012″ is depicted with a headrest in twoconfigurations at once. Headrest 1072″ is shown in a use configurationin order to provide a passenger with head and neck support for comfortand also in the event of a collision. Headrest 1074″ (shown in outline)is the same has headrest 1072″, but is shown in a second, foldedconfiguration. As can be seen, the headrest folds or pivots towards oraway from the seat 1012″ in order to change between configurations. Thecurved shape of the back of the headrest allows the headrest to fittightly against the seat 1012″ when in the second, folded configurationof headrest 1074″. In this condition, the headrest 1072″ appears tobecome an integral part of the seat 1012. Accordingly, when the headrest1072″ is fully retracted, as shown in FIG. 10C, the headrest 1072″virtually disappears and becomes a part of the seat 1012″ as in theexample of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 1100 includes two rows of seating 1110, 1020. Firstrow 1110 includes a pair of seats 1112, 1114 seat having a first,passenger use configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, includingthe priority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row.

FIG. 11 depicts first row 1110 in a second, folded configuration. Inthis example, the second row 1120 becomes the priority row in that thefirst row is no longer usable for passengers, and the priority passengermay sit in the second row 1120. The shape of the seats 1112, 1114 incombination with the shape of the dashboard 1180 allows the seats 1112,1114 to fold and fit into the dashboard as shown. The fit is such thatthe back sides 1132, 1134 of first row 1010 appear to be integrated withthe dashboard 1180. As such, a passenger in the second row may not evennotice that a first row of seats was ever present in the vehicle.

In addition, the backsides 1132, 1134 may provide a passenger in thesecond row with space for items. For instance the backsides may includecup holders or trays, and/or as in the examples above, may become a footrest for passengers (not shown, but also including the prioritypassenger) when seats 1112 and 1114 are in the second folded,configuration. In this example, the seats need not be arranged on tracksas in the examples of vehicles 600-900 or may simply fold from the firstpassenger use configuration. For safety, the first row may be secured inplace when in the second configuration as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 1200 includes two rows of seating 1210, 1220. Firstrow 1210 includes a pair of seats 1212, 1214 seat having a first,passenger use configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, includingthe priority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row.

FIG. 12 depicts first row 1210 in a second, folded configuration. Inthis example, the second row 1220 becomes the priority row in that thefirst row is no longer usable for passengers, and the priority passengermay sit in the second row 1220. Recesses in the floor 1290 of thevehicle (not shown) below seats 1212, 1214, allows the seats to fold andfit into the floor 1290 as shown. The fit is such that the back sides1232, 1234 of first row 1210 appear flush with or integrated into thefloor 1290 of vehicle 1200. In this example, as with FIG. 9 above (whichdoes not include a recess), the base of the seat may be collapsible (asdiscussed in further detail below) to save space, and as with theexample of FIGS. 10A-F, the seats may also include a retractableheadrest that retracts into a recess in the seat to further save space.

In addition, the backsides 1232, 1234 may also become a foot rest forpassenger 1240 (who may be the priority passenger) when seats 1212 and1214 are in the second folded, configuration. In this example, the seatsneed not be arranged on tracks as in the examples of vehicles 600-900.For safety, the first row may be secured in place when in the secondconfiguration as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 1300 includes two rows of seating 1310, 1320. Firstrow 1310 may include a pair of seats or bench seat having a first,passenger use configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, includingthe priority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row.

FIG. 13 depicts first row 1310 in a second, folded configuration similarto the second, folded configuration of vehicle 600. In this example, thesecond row 1320 becomes the priority row in that the first row is nolonger usable for passengers, and the priority passenger, for examplepassenger 1340, may sit in the second row 1220. Rather than the seatbecoming a foot ret, the floor 1390 of the vehicle may have a foot rest1332 (or a foot rest for each seat of front row). In this example footrest 1332 may pop up from the floor only when the front row 1310 is inthe second, folded configuration.

In order to change from the first, passenger use configuration to thesecond configuration, the first row 1310 is folded and slid along a setof tracks 1350 in the direction of arrow 1360 towards the front end 1362of vehicle 1300. In this example, when in the second, foldedconfiguration, the front row rests on the dashboard 1380. Of course thefinal position of first row 1310 may still allow for HVAC systems of thevehicle to function. For safety, the first row may be secured in placewhen in the second configuration as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 1400 includes two rows of seating 1410, 1420. Firstrow 1210 may include a pair of seats or bench seat having a first,passenger use configuration (not shown) to allow passengers, includingthe priority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row. FIG. 14depicts first row 1410 in a second, folded configuration similar to thesecond, folded configuration of vehicle 600. In this example, the secondrow 1420 becomes the priority row in that the first row is no longerusable for passengers, and the priority passenger may sit in the secondrow. Rather than the seat of row 1410 becoming a foot ret, the floor1490 of the vehicle may have a foot rest 1432 (or a foot rest for eachseat of front row). In this example foot rest 1432 may pop up from thefloor only when the front row 1410 is in the second, foldedconfiguration.

In order to change from the first, passenger use configuration to thesecond configuration, the first row 1410 is folded and slid along a setof tracks (not shown) in the direction of arrow 1460 towards the frontend 1462 of vehicle 1400. In this example, when in the second, foldedconfiguration, rather than being tucked below the dashboard, thedashboard may include a recess 1474 for each of the headrests 1472 ofthe front row 1410 (similar to the example of FIG. 7, but here,including a popup footrest). In this regard, when seats are moved alongthe tracks (not shown), at least a portion of the headrests may beplaced into the corresponding recess in the dashboard. The distance Xidentifies the amount of extra legroom provided to passenger 1440, whomay be the priority passenger, when the first row is moved along thetracks into the second, folded configuration. The distance Z identifiesthe added distance in X which is provided by sliding the headrests 1472into the recess 1474. Of course the final position of first row 1410 maystill allow for HVAC systems of the vehicle to function. For safety, thefirst row may be secured in place when in the second configuration asshown in FIG. 14.

In order to achieve the second, folded configurations discussed above,the seats may themselves have various configurations. FIGS. 15A-D is anexample 1500 of changing a seat from a first, passenger useconfiguration to a second, folded configuration. FIG. 15A depicts afirst row 1510 includes seats 1512, 1514 having a headrest 1522, 1524, aportion 1532, 1534 for supporting the back of a passenger, and a base1542, 1544. Each of seats 1512, 1514 includes a hinge line 1570 throughthe portion (as opposed to between the seat and the headrest or at theheadrest). This hinge line may correspond to the hinges of the exampleof FIG. 8.

FIG. 15B is a front view of seat 1510 in the first, passenger useconfiguration. In FIG. 15C, portion 1532 of seat 1512 is folded ontobase 1542. In addition, seat 1512 is moved on tracks 1550, 1552 in thedirection of arrow 1560 towards the front end 1562 of the vehicle (shownin FIG. 15D). At this point, a foot rest 1572 (shown in FIG. 15D) for apassenger in the second row may pop (for instance using a springmechanism) or be pulled out of the floor of the vehicle. In FIG. 15D,the fold line of the portion 1532 is used to separate the portion into atop 1532 a (attached to headrest 1522) and a bottom 1532 b. The top 1532a and headrest are then folded back at the hinge line 1570 towards aback side of the bottom 1532 a.

FIG. 16 is an example 1600 of changing a seat from a first, passengeruse configuration to a second, folded configuration. In this example, aseat 1610 is depicted in the two configurations (a and b) at the sametime. Seat 1610 a, b includes a headrest 1622 a, b, a portion 1624 a, bfor supporting the back of a passenger, a base cushion 1626 a, b, a basesupport structure 1628 (only shown in the first, passenger useconfiguration). The base support structure includes two side supportstructures 1629 (only a single being shown in the view of FIG. 16). The“a” reference numerals represent the features of seat 1610 first,passenger use configuration and the “b” reference numerals represent thefeatures of seat 1610 in the second, folded configuration. From thefirst configuration, headrest 1622 a is folded down towards the portion1624 a. From there, the portion 1624 a is folded towards the basecushion 1622 a. The base support structure 1626 a is then collapsed onitself, for example, by folding down a support 1630 of the base supportstructure 1628. This allows a footrest 1640 for a second row passenger(not shown and who may be the priority passenger) to pop out of thefloor 1690 of the vehicle. However, when the support 1630 of the basesupport structure 1628 is folded down, the two side supports 1629 mayactually remain upright and stationary. In that regard, the folded seat1610 is positioned between the two side support structures 1629. Inaddition, when the seat 1610 is in the second, folded, configuration theheadrest 1622 b is tucked between the portion 1624 b and base cushion1626 b.

FIGS. 17A-7F is an example 1700 of additional folding seatconfigurations. FIG. 17A is another view depicting the interior of avehicle. In this example, the vehicle includes two rows of seating 1710,1720. First row 1710 may include a pair of seats or bench seat having afirst, passenger use configuration (not shown) to allow passengers,including the priority passenger, to sit and ride in the first row.

FIG. 17A-B depicts changing a seat from a first, passenger useconfiguration to a second, folded configuration. In this example, a seat1710 is depicted in the two configurations (a and b) at the same time.Seat 1710 a, b includes a headrest 1722 a, b, a portion 1724 forsupporting the back of a passenger, a base cushion 1726, and a basesupport structure 1727. In this example, seat 1710 includes a hinge line1770 through the portion that divides portion into a first section 1742a, b and a second section 1744 b. The “a” reference numerals representthe features of seat 1710 first, passenger use configuration and the “b”reference numerals represent the features of seat 1710 in the second,folded configuration. The location of the hinge line can be selectedbased on the size and shape of the resulting folded seat as well aslocations that would be aesthetically pleasing when viewing the seatfrom a side perspective of the seat (such as when a passenger isentering the vehicle).

From the first configuration, headrest 1722 a and first section 1742 aare folded as a unit towards the first portion 1744 a. From there, thesecond portion 1744 a is folded towards the base cushion 1726. Theheadrest 1722 b may also fold back towards the first section 1742 b inorder to get a closer fit between the first section 1742 b and the basecushion 1726. In addition, the seat 1710 may be slid along tracks 1750,1752 towards the front end of the vehicle (shown in FIGS. 17C and 17D).This may allow a footrest 1772 for a second row passenger 1740 to popout of the floor 1790 of the vehicle. In this example, as can be seen inFIGS. 17A-B, at least a portion of the headrest 1722 b is tucked under adashboard 1780 of the vehicle.

FIGS. 17C and 17D depict examples of the folded configuration of FIGS.17A-17B combined with the collapsible base example of FIG. 16. As shown,the base support structure 1727 includes two side supports 1728, 1729.In this example, a support (not shown, but comparable to support 1630 ofFIG. 16) of the base support structure 1727 is folded to allow the basestructure to collapse between the two support structures 1728, 1729. Bydoing so, there is room for the base cushion 1726 to tuck into a spacebetween the two sides supports as shown in FIG. 17C. In the example ofFIG. 17D, the base support structure 1727 is even further collapsed,allowing at least some of the portion 1724 to also tuck into the spacebetween the two sides supports. By doing so, the seat 1712 may even betucked under the dashboard 1780 as shown in FIG. 17D.

FIGS. 17E-F depict changing a seat from the second, folded configurationto the first, passenger use configuration. In FIG. 17F, seat 1710 isdepicted in the two configurations (a and b) at the same time. From thesecond configuration, headrest 1722 b and first section 1742 b arepulled up from below the dashboard 1780. Second section 1744 a is thenunfolded and moved in the direction of arrow 1760 towards the rear endof the vehicle 1762. From there, headrest 1722 b and first section 1742b are pulled up and away from the second portion 1744 b about the hingeline 1770 in the direction of arrow 1764 to the position of firstsection 1724 a. Headrest 1722 b is then tilted forward (toward the frontend 1766 of the vehicle) in the direction of arrow 1768. In addition,footrest 1750 is tucked below the seat 1710 in the direction of arrow1761, and the seat 1710 may be slid in the direction of arrow 1763 alongtracks (not shown) towards the rear end 1762 of the vehicle.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are views depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 1800 includes two rows of seating 1810, 1820. Firstrow 1810 may include a pair of seats or bench seat having a first,passenger use configuration shown in FIG. 18A, to allow passengers,including passenger 1840 who may be the priority passenger 1840, to sitand ride in the first row 1810, as well as passenger 1842 to sit andride in the second row 1820.

FIG. 18B depicts first row 1810 in a second, additional legroomconfiguration having only a single row for passengers. In this example,rather than folding the first row to achieve the second configuration,the first row is “stacked” onto the second row by moving the first rowback over the second row. In other words, the first row 1810 is slidalong a set of tracks 1850 in the direction of arrow 1860 towards therear end 1864 of vehicle 1800 (1862 indicates the direction of the frontend of the vehicle). To provide a better fit with the stacking and toalso increase the comfort of the second row, prior to moving the firstrow back over the second row, the second row may be moved downwardstowards the floor 1890 of the vehicle. This may be achieved, forexample, by using the collapsible base of the example of FIG. 16. Thedifference in the height of the base cushion 1824 of the second row isreadily apparent by comparing FIGS. 18A and 18B.

In addition, in this example, the first row 1810 remains the priorityrow (as the priority passenger 1840 is still in the first row 1810), andthe second row is no longer usable for passengers. Foot rest 1832 maypop up from the floor only when the front row 1810 is in the second,additional legroom configuration. For safety, the first row may besecured in place when in the second, additional legroom configuration asshown in FIG. 18A.

In this example, by maintain the priority of the first row even when thesecond row is not usable, the rear seats need not meet the same legallymandated crash test standards as the first row. In that regard, each ofthe examples above depicting a second row as becoming a priority row,the second row may also be required to meet the same legally mandatedcrash test standards as the first row.

FIG. 19 is another view depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 1900 includes two rows of seating 1910, 1920. Firstrow 1910 may include a pair of seats or bench seat having a first,two-row passenger use configuration (for a view of this configuration,see the example of FIG. 18A) to allow passengers, including passenger1840 who may be the priority passenger, to sit and ride in the firstrow, as well as another passenger to sit and ride in the second row1820.

FIG. 19 depicts first row 1910 in a second, additional legroomconfiguration having only a single row for passengers. In this example,rather than folding the first row to achieve the second configuration,second row is folded, and thereafter the first row is “stacked” onto thesecond row by moving the first row back over the folded second row. Inother words, the base cushion 1922 (or cushions if there are twoseparate seats in the second row 1920) of second row 1920 are foldedtowards the portion 1922 of second row 1920 for supporting a passenger'sback. In this example, unlike the example of FIG. 18B, the base cushion1924 of the second row need not be lowered towards the floor 1990.

Thereafter, the first row 1910 is slid along a set of tracks 1950 in thedirection of arrow 1960 towards the rear end 1964 of vehicle 1900 (1962indicates the direction of the front end of the vehicle). In thisexample, the first row 1910 remains the priority row (as the prioritypassenger 1940 is still in the first row 1910), and the second row is nolonger usable for passengers. Foot rest 1932 may pop up from the flooronly when the front row 1910 is in the second, additional legroomconfiguration. For safety, the first row may be secured in place when inthe second, additional legroom configuration as shown in FIG. 19.

FIGS. 20A-B are views depicting the interior of a vehicle. In thisexample, the vehicle 2000 includes a first side having two rows ofseating 2010, 2020. A second side of the vehicle includes only a singlerow 2030 of seating. In this example, each row includes a singlepassenger seat, any of which could be for the priority passengerdepending upon the configuration of the rows as discussed below.Together, these rows (or seats) form a “triangle” within the vehicle.

In this example, row 2030 can be moved along track 2050 in order tochange the interior configuration of the vehicle, for instance toaccommodate packages or luggage 2040. Row 2030 an therefore be moved toa position in line with seats of row 2010, in line with seats of row2020, or various other positions between these positions as shown inFIG. 20. Changing configurations by moving the row 2030′s positionrelative to rows 2010 and 2020 may allow the passengers different socialexperiences and or types of interactions.

The features of FIGS. 20A-B may be combined with any of the foldingconcepts described above. For example, FIGS. 20C-D depict views ofvehicle 2000 where row 2030 is in a first, passenger use configuration(FIG. 20C) and where row 2030 is in a second, folded configuration (FIG.20D). In this example, to move from the first configuration to thesecond configuration, any of the examples of FIGS. 15-17F may be used.The row 2030 is then moved towards the front end 2060 of the vehicle andinto a first recess 2082 in the dashboard 2080. When the row 2030 is“stored” in this configuration, the area adjacent to both rows 2010 and2020 is open for larger items as shown in FIGS. 20E-F.

Returning to FIGS. 20C and 20D, as can be seen, dashboard 2080 alsoincludes a second recess 2084 which allows the first row 2010 to also befolded and stored as row 2030 is shown in FIG. 20D. Thus, when there isonly a single passenger in row 2020 and both first row 2010 and row 2030are stored as discussed above, that passenger has a tremendous amount oflegroom and room for additional luggage 2042 etc.

Console

In order for a user to provide input to the vehicle, as noted above, thevehicle may include a console arranged for use by the prioritypassenger. FIG. 21 is a top down view of the console 504 of FIG. 5.Console 504 includes various buttons for controlling features of avehicle. For example, console 504 includes buttons that may be found ina typical vehicle such as buttons 2102 for locking and unlocking thedoors 406, buttons 2104 for raising or lowering the windows of doors406, buttons 2106 for turning on internal lights of the vehicle, buttons2109 for controlling a heating function of seats 502, as well as buttons2110 for controlling the volume of speakers 154. Although not shown,console 504 may also include one or more electronic displays fordisplaying information about the status of the vehicle.

In addition, console 504 also includes buttons 2111 for initiatingcommunication with concierge 242 via one of the wireless networkconnections 156. Once the concierge work station is connected to thevehicle, the concierge may communicate with the passenger via thespeakers 154 and/or internal electronic display 152. In addition, themicrophone allows the passenger to speak directly to the concierge. Insome cases, vehicle 100 may include an internal still or video camerathat allows the concierge to view the status of the passengers andconfirm their safety.

Buttons 2112 and 2114 may also be a part of user input 150 and in thisregard, allow a passenger to communicate with computing device 110, forexample, to initiate or end a trip in the vehicle. In this regard,button 2112 may act as an emergency stopping button that, when pushed,causes vehicle 100 to stop in a short amount of time. Because thepassenger does not have direct control of the acceleration ordeceleration of vehicle 100 by way of a gas or brake pedal, button 2112may be an emergency stop button that is critical to allowing a passengerto feel safe and act quickly in case of an immediate emergency. Inaddition, because of the potentially abrupt nature of a stop initiatedby the emergency stopping button 2112, the emergency stopping button2112 may feature a cover (e.g., a clear plastic cover) that may have tobe removed or flipped up in order to activate button 2112.

Button 2114 may be a multi-function button having different states. Inthe first state, button 2114 may be a “GO” button which a passenger usesto initiate a trip to a destination. Once vehicle 100 is moving, button2114 may change to a “PULL OVER” button which a passenger users toinitiate a non-emergency stop. In this regard, computing device 110 mayrespond by determining a safe place to pull the vehicle over, ratherthan coming to a more sudden stop as with the emergency stop button2112. Alternatively, two buttons, one having a “GO” state and the otherhaving a “PULL OVER” state may be used.

Thus, passenger communication with computing device 110 for navigationpurposes may be limited to button 2114 (or two buttons as in the exampleabove), emergency stopping button 2112, wireless network connection 156(such as Bluetooth LE) with the passenger's client computing device, andby sending information from the passenger's client computing device tothe server 210 which then relays that information to the vehicle'scomputing device. In some examples, a passenger may provide informationto the vehicle's computing device 110 via voice commands though themicrophone as discussed above. In addition, however, the passenger maycommunicate with the concierge via a phone call, an application on thepassenger's client computing device, a microphone, and/or the conciergebutton 2111 and in turn, the concierge may provide instructions controlcertain aspects of a vehicle via a concierge work station.

In many of the examples described above, the configuration of the rowsof the vehicle may be changed. By doing so, the position of thepassengers may also change, including the priority passenger who mayneed access to the console. Because of this, when the seatingconfigurations are changed, the console may also be moved within thevehicle. For instance, the console may be incorporated into a housing.This housing may be movable within the interior of the car. Forinstance, the housing may be moved towards a front end or a rear end ofthe vehicle depending upon the location of the priority row, or ratherthe row having the priority passenger, is expected to be located. Inthis regard, once the rows of seats have been configured, the consolemay also be moved within the vehicle corresponding to the currentconfiguration of the rows and placement of the priority passenger.

As an example, FIGS. 22A-22B are top down views depicting the interiorof a vehicle 2200. FIG. 22A depicts a console 2204 and console housing2206 in a first position 2230 between a first row of seats 2210. Console2204 may be configured the same as or similarly to console 504. Thevehicle also includes a second row of seats 2220. In this example, firstrow 2210 is the priority row, so the console housing 2206 is locatedsuch that a passenger in the seats of row 2210 may reach the console anduse the various user inputs.

As noted above, the console housing 2206 may be moved. This movement maybe achieved, for example, by sliding the console housing 2206 along aset of tracks 2250 as in the seat examples above. The tracks allow theconsole housing 2206 to move towards and away from the front end 2260 ofthe vehicle or rear 2262 of the vehicle.

FIG. 22B depicts console housing 2206 in three different positions atthe same time: the first position 2230 (also shown in FIG. 22A), asecond position 2232 (also shown in FIG. 22D), and a third position2234. In the second position 2230, the console housing 2206 is movedfrom the first position towards the front end of the vehicle. FIG. 22Ddepicts a side view of the console in the second position 2232. In thisview, the console housing is as far forward towards the dashboard 2280as the tracks will allow. Such a position can be convenient and morecomfortable for a passenger in the first row 2210 who may have longarms. In addition, where the console 2204 is mounted to the consolehousing 2206 using a hinge 2208 as shown in FIG. 22D, the console 2204can be tilted up, allowing a passenger in the row 2220 to view anyinformation displayed at the console 2204.

In the third position 2234, the console housing 2206 is moved from thefirst position towards the rear 2262 of the vehicle. In this thirdposition, the console housing is as far back away from the dashboard2280 as the tracks will allow. Such a position can be more comfortable,convenient, and safe in situations where the first row of seats isfolded (for instance, in any of the second, folded configurationsdescribed above). In that regard, where row 2220 becomes the priorityrow, a priority passenger in the row 2220 can still access the inputs ofthe console 2204 in order to control the vehicle as described above.Moving the console may also be useful in the case where the first row isstacked over the second row of seats (as in the examples of FIGS. 18A-19above), but remains the priority row. The console housing may thus bemoved to an appropriate position once the rows of seats of the vehicleare in a seating configuration appropriate for the number of passengers.

In addition to the first, second, and third positions described above,various intermediate positions along the tracks 2250 may also be used.For example, FIG. 22C depicts a fourth position 2238 of the consolehousing 2206 between the first and second positions. Although not shown,various other positions may also be achieved. Of course, for safety, theconsole housing may be secured when in any of the aforementionedpositions.

Partition

Although vehicles such as vehicle 101 may be fully capable of full-timeautonomous driving, manual controls (steering, braking, acceleration,signaling, etc.) are often legally required to exist in vehicles such asvehicle 101. Such controls are especially important to allow adesignated test passenger to take control of the vehicle in an emergencysituation. As an example, a test passenger may be a human operator or“test driver” tasked with testing the vehicle by sitting in the vehicleand observing the vehicle's actions when the vehicle is operatingautonomously. However, in many situations, having manual controls whenthe vehicle does not include a designated a test passenger, mayintroduce a safety risk to passengers and bystanders should a passengerinterfere with the manual controls. In order to address these risks, itmay be appropriate to include a partition. This may reduce thelikelihood of a passenger interfering with the manual controls.

The partition may be a fixed within the vehicle or be movable. As anexample, FIGS. 23A-C depict a single row of seats 2312, 2314 in avehicle, such as vehicle 100, with partitions 2302 in variousconfigurations. Seats 2312, 2314 may form a first row of seats in thevehicle. In each example, a base portion 2304 of a partition 2302 isattached to a floor 2390 of the vehicle. As noted above, the partitionmay be completely fixed (non-movable) within the vehicle. Alternatively,the position of the base portion 2304 relative to the vehicle as well asthe seats 2312, 2314 can be adjusted, for instance, by sliding thepartition along a set of tracks, such as any of the sets of tracksdescribed above.

In addition or alternatively to moving the partition along a set oftracks, a top portion of the partition may pivot as shown in FIGS.23A-C. A second, top portion 2308 of the portion is attached to the baseportion 2304 by a hinge 2306. The hinge allows the top portion 2308 topivot about the base portion 2304 in order to arrange the partition intodifferent configurations as shown in FIGS. 23A-23C.

FIG. 23A depicts the partition 2302 in a first, fully upright or activeconfiguration. In this example, the partition forms a barrier betweenthe seats 2312, 2314 of the first row. Here, seats 2312, 2314 may be asfar forward in the vehicle as possible and the top portion 2308 is inline with the base portion 2304 of the partition 2302. Although notshown, the seats may also be folded using any of the examples describedabove. The top portion 2308 may include outer edges 2320, 2322 thatgenerally follow the contours of the seats 2312, 2314. Of course, thepartition may have an even larger shape and different outer edges basedupon the folded configuration of the seats. In this regard, the outeredges of the partition may generally follow the contours of the seatswhen in a folded configuration.

The first configuration depicted in FIG. 23A may be most useful whenthere are passengers in the vehicle, with or without a test passenger.For instance, FIG. 23A depicts the configuration if the partition werefully fixed, partially movable (for instance on rails but cannot pivot),or movable (on rails) and capable of pivoting. This configuration mayprevent or reduce the ability of any passengers in a second row of seatsin the vehicle (not shown) located behind the first row from reachingthe manual controls (not shown). If there is no test passenger or thefirst row is otherwise not needed for passengers, the partition and theseats of the first row may be moved as close to the dashboard aspossible to give any passengers in the greatest amount of legroom andcomfort.

FIG. 23B depicts the partition 2302 in a second, transitionconfiguration, or rather a transition point between the configurationsof FIGS. 23A and 23C. In this example, from FIG. 23A, the top portion2308 is pivoted at the hinge 2306 approximately 90 degrees about thebase portion 2304 and away from the seats 2312, 2314 of the first row.Although not shown, the top edge 2324 of the top portion 2308 may beresting on the second row of seats. To return the partition 2302 to thefirst configuration, the partition may be pivoted at the hinge 2306about the base portion 2304 approximately 90 degrees towards the firstrow or front end of the vehicle.

FIG. 23C depicts the partition 2304 in a third, fully foldedconfiguration. This configuration is similar to the configuration of23B, but in this example, the seats 2310, 2312 are moved back towardsthe partition, for instance by sliding the seats on the set of tracks asnoted above. Again the shape of the outer edges of 2320, 2322 thatgenerally follow the contours of the seats when in the firstconfiguration allows the seats to be moved towards the base portion 2304as can be seen between FIGS. 23B and 23C. This configuration 23A may bemost useful when there is a test passenger in the vehicle, but no otherpassengers in the second row (not shown).

The partition may be locked into the first or third configurationsmanually or automatically by the computing device 110 based on whetherthe vehicle is going to be used for testing and whether the first row isgoing to be occupied by passengers.

Example Methods

In addition to the operations described above and illustrated in thefigures, various operations will now be described. It should beunderstood that the following operations do not have to be performed inthe precise order described below. Rather, various steps can be handledin a different order or simultaneously, and steps may also be added oromitted.

In one aspect, a user may download an application for requesting avehicle to a client computing device. For example, users 222 and 232 maydownload the application via a link in an email, directly from awebsite, or an application store to client computing devices 220 and230. For example, client computing device may transmit a request for theapplication over the network, for example, to one or more servercomputing devices 210, and in response, receive the application. Theapplication may be installed locally at the client computing device.

The user may then use his or her client computing device to access theapplication and request a vehicle for a trip. As an example, a user suchas user 132 may use client computing device 330 to send a request to oneor more server computing devices 110 for a vehicle. As part of this, theuser may identify a pickup location, a destination location, and, insome cases, one or more intermediate stopping locations anywhere withina service area where a vehicle can stop. In addition, the user mayidentify a number of passengers for the trip, and in some case, apreferred seating arrangement for the identified number of passengers.

Once the user has selected one or more of a pickup and/or destinationlocations and has identified the number of passengers for the trip, theclient computing device 420 may send this information to one or moreserver computing devices of the centralized dispatching system. Inresponse, one or more server computing devices, such as server computingdevice 110, may select a vehicle, for instance based on availability,current seating configuration of the vehicle given the identified numberof passengers, and proximity to the user. The server computing devicemay then dispatch the selected vehicle to pick up to the user byproviding the vehicle with the pickup and/or destination locationsspecified by the user.

In addition, the one or more server computing devices may send thevehicle's computing device 110 the identified number of passengers. Inresponse, the vehicle may automatically reconfigure any rows of seatingin the vehicle to best accommodate the identified number of passengers.For instance, this may be achieved by automatically folding seats orrows, moving seats or rows on tracks, stacking seats or rows, and movinga console to an appropriate position using any of the examples discussedabove. Similarly, if the user has specified a preferred seatingarrangement for the identified number of passengers, the vehicle mayreconfigure the seats or rows according to the preferred seatingarrangement, again using the examples provided above. In addition, oralternatively, when necessary, the vehicle's computing device 110 maycause the partition to move in to different configurations.

Alternatively, the user, upon entering the vehicle, may make changes tothe seating configuration manually or by selecting an option (button)within the vehicle to do so.

Unless otherwise stated, the foregoing alternative examples are notmutually exclusive, but may be implemented in various combinations toachieve unique advantages. As these and other variations andcombinations of the features discussed above can be utilized withoutdeparting from the subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoingdescription of the embodiments should be taken by way of illustrationrather than by way of limitation of the subject matter defined by theclaims. In addition, the provision of the examples described herein, aswell as clauses phrased as “such as,” “including” and the like, shouldnot be interpreted as limiting the subject matter of the claims to thespecific examples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate onlyone of many possible embodiments. Further, the same reference numbers indifferent drawings can identify the same or similar elements.

1. A system comprising: a first row of seating for a vehicle, the firstrow of seating having a passenger use configuration where the first rowallows a passenger to sit in a seat of the first row of seating andaccess user input controls for the vehicle, the first row of seatinghaving a folded configuration where the first row is in a folded,configuration no longer usable for passenger seating; a second row ofseating for the vehicle, wherein when the first row of seating is in thesecond, folded configuration, the second row of seating is usable forseating and includes additional legroom for the passenger as compared towhen the first row of seating is in the first passenger useconfiguration; and a footrest, wherein the footrest is configured foruse by the passenger only when the first row of seating is in thesecond, folded configuration.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thefootrest is configured as a pop-up footrest which automatically movesaway from a floor of the vehicle when the first row of seating is movedfrom the first, passenger use configuration to the folded configuration.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the footrest is configured to movetowards a floor of the vehicle and into a folded configuration when thefirst row of seating is moved from the folded configuration to thefirst, passenger use configuration.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe footrest is positioned to allow for use by the passenger when thepassenger is seated in the second row of seating and the first row ofseating is in the folded configuration.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1,wherein the footrest is positioned to be stowed when the first row ofseating is in the passenger use configuration.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the footrest is positioned in a back side of the first row ofseating such that the footrest is accessible only by a passenger seatedin the second row of seating when the first row of seating is in thefolded configuration.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the footrest isconfigured to tuck under the first row of seating in order to allow thefirst row of seating to slide over the footrest when the first row ofseating is moved from the first, passenger use configuration to thefolded configuration.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first row ofseating includes at least two seats, and wherein the footrest isarranged in the back of only of the at least two seats.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first row of seating includes at least two seats,and wherein the footrest is arranged as a single footrest in the back oftwo seats of the at least two seats.
 10. The system of claim 1, whereinthe second row of seating includes at least two seats and whereinfootrest is arranged to allow for use by passengers sitting in any ofthe at least two seats to.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein thefootrest is configured as an extension of a back side of a pair of seatsincluded in the first row of seating.
 12. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising the vehicle.
 13. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising adashboard including a recess that allows a seat of the first row ofseating to fold into the dashboard when the first row of seating is inthe folded configuration such that the seat becomes integral with thedashboard.
 14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the footrest is arrangedin a backside of the seat.
 15. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a dashboard including a recess that allows a portion of aseat of the first row of seating to fold into the dashboard when thefirst row of seating is in the folded configuration and whereby thefootrest extends upward from a floor of a vehicle behind the first rowof seating when in the folded configuration.
 16. The system of claim 1,wherein the vehicle is configured for a priority passenger with accessto user input buttons for the vehicle to sit in the first row when threeor more passengers are in the vehicle and the first row is in the first,passenger use configuration.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein thevehicle is configured for a priority passenger with access to user inputbuttons for the vehicle to sit in the second row when two or onepassengers are in the vehicle and the first row is in the second, foldedconfiguration, and wherein the footrest is arranged for use by thepriority passenger.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle isconfigured to automatically transition the first row of seating betweenthe passenger use configuration and the folded configuration.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the footrest is configured to automaticallymove into position for use by a passenger when the first row of seatingis automatically transitioned from the passenger use configuration tothe folded configuration.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein a seat ofthe first row of seating is configured to fold by collapsing into theseat and thereby allow the footrest to pop-up in to a use configurationfor a passenger seated in the second row of seating.